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OfficialVisas: Visa Bond Program · Last verified

Visas: Visa Bond Program

The US government is making its Visa Bond Program permanent.

What this is

The US government is making its Visa Bond Program permanent. If you apply for a B-1 or B-2 visitor visa, a consular officer can require you to pay a bond of up to $20,000 before your visa is issued. The bond ensures you follow the rules of your visa and leave on time.

Source: Visas: Visa Bond Program · in effect from 2026-08-03T00:00:00.000Z

What you need to know

  • The Visa Bond Program started as a temporary pilot on August 20, 2025 and is now being made permanent.
  • It applies to people applying for B-1 (business) or B-2 (pleasure/tourism) visitor visas.
  • A consular officer can require you to post a bond of up to $20,000 as a condition of getting your visa.
  • The bond is meant to ensure you maintain your nonimmigrant status and depart the US when required.
  • B-1 (business) and B-2 (pleasure/tourism) visa applicants may be required to post a visa bond.
  • The bond amount can be up to $20,000.
  • The consular officer decides whether a bond is required and how much it must be.
  • The bond is a condition of having your visa issued.
  • The bond is meant to ensure you maintain your nonimmigrant status and depart the US as required.
  • A 12-month pilot program started on August 20, 2025; this rule makes the program permanent.

Source: Visas: Visa Bond Program · in effect from 2026-08-03T00:00:00.000Z

What to do

  • If you are applying for a B-1 or B-2 visa, be prepared that you may be asked to pay a bond of up to $20,000 before your visa is approved.
  • If you are applying for a B-1 or B-2 visa and a consular officer requires a bond, you must pay it before your visa will be issued.
  • You must maintain your nonimmigrant status and depart the US as required to comply with the bond conditions.

Source: Visas: Visa Bond Program · in effect from 2026-08-03T00:00:00.000Z

Frequently asked questions

Do all B-1/B-2 applicants have to pay this bond, or only some? Not all applicants are required to pay. The rule says a bond 'may be required,' meaning the consular officer reviewing your application decides whether to impose one.

How much money could I be required to put up? The bond can be up to $20,000. The exact amount is set by the consular officer on a case-by-case basis, not a fixed fee applied to everyone.

Who makes the decision about whether I have to post a bond and for how much? The consular officer handling your visa application makes both decisions — whether a bond is required at all and what the dollar amount will be.

Why is the government requiring this bond — what is it supposed to guarantee? The bond is meant to ensure that you maintain your nonimmigrant status and leave the United States when required. It is a financial condition attached to the visa itself.

Is this a new permanent rule or something that could go away? It started as a 12-month pilot program that went into effect on August 20, 2025, but this rule makes the visa bond program permanent.

When does this take effect? It takes effect on 2026-08-03. Dates named in the document: 2025-08-20.

Who does this apply to? This relates to Travel.

Where does this information come from? State Department, published at https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/08/03/2026-15726/visas-visa-bond-program.

Source: Visas: Visa Bond Program · in effect from 2026-08-03T00:00:00.000Z

Related topics

Travel

Source: Visas: Visa Bond Program · in effect from 2026-08-03T00:00:00.000Z

Official

Frequently asked questions

Do all B-1/B-2 applicants have to pay this bond, or only some?
Not all applicants are required to pay. The rule says a bond 'may be required,' meaning the consular officer reviewing your application decides whether to impose one.
How much money could I be required to put up?
The bond can be up to $20,000. The exact amount is set by the consular officer on a case-by-case basis, not a fixed fee applied to everyone.
Who makes the decision about whether I have to post a bond and for how much?
The consular officer handling your visa application makes both decisions — whether a bond is required at all and what the dollar amount will be.
Why is the government requiring this bond — what is it supposed to guarantee?
The bond is meant to ensure that you maintain your nonimmigrant status and leave the United States when required. It is a financial condition attached to the visa itself.
Is this a new permanent rule or something that could go away?
It started as a 12-month pilot program that went into effect on August 20, 2025, but this rule makes the visa bond program permanent.
When does this take effect?
It takes effect on 2026-08-03. Dates named in the document: 2025-08-20.
Who does this apply to?
This relates to Travel.
Where does this information come from?
State Department, published at https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/08/03/2026-15726/visas-visa-bond-program.